The government will send people loud, siren-like warnings to alert them when there is a risk to life.
The alerts will initially focus on the most serious weather-related events, such as this flooding in YorkA siren-like alert will be sent to mobile phone users across the UK next month to test a new government public warning system.
The system - which became operational on Sunday - is being modelled on similar schemes used in the US, Canada, Japan and The Netherlands. People can opt out by searching their device settings for emergency alerts and then turning off severe and extreme ones. Officials say the alerts could be life-saving, though, advising against switching them off.The Cabinet Office says the service will be secure, free to receive and will not collect personal information such as someone's telephone number, identity or location.
Trials have already been held in Reading and East Suffolk. People will also be alerted if they are in one of 19 other countries which currently use them.
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